08 March 2023

Whiskered Terns – Jubail

Whilst birding in the Jubail area in late February we found a group of Whiskered Terns Chlidonias hybridus. The Whiskered Tern is an uncommon migrant to all areas of the Kingdom including Riyadh. Records appeared to become less common from 2000 onwards but in the last three years the numbers have increased again. During the 1980’s birds were regularly seen in the Eastern Province between August and March. The photos were taken on a very dull and windy day with up to ten Whiskered Terns feeding on a flooded area of sabkha.